Judge rejects reduced dam spill at sites in Bonneville, Ore., elsewhere
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash. --Jul. 29
A federal judge Wednesday rejected government plans to curtail spill programs at four federal dams in August.
Approved by the Army Corps of Engineers this month, the plan would have
directed water now spilled over the Dalles and Bonneville dams in August through
turbines instead. Spilling was to be eliminated later in the month at Ice Harbor
and John Day dams as well. The additional power generated could have been sold
to the power-thirsty Southwest.
In granting Indian tribes, environmentalists and fishermen the injunction
they had sought, U.S. District Judge James Redden indicated the list of
supposedly new environmental measures put forth by the agencies to make up for
curtailing spill were inadequate.
The Bonneville Power Administration is reviewing its legal options.
"We're going to continue to pursue it," said BPA spokesman Ed
Mosey. "It's kind of late this year. More than likely, it's going to be a
long-term effort to convince people this August spill doesn't have much
biological merit."
Spilling water over dams instead of running it through turbines is generally
held to provide the safest passage for migrating salmon on their way to the
ocean and is the cornerstone of the Bush administration's "aggressive
nonbreach" fish recover strategy.
But the Northwest Power and Conservation Council a year ago began questioning
its merit during July and August, when most fish already have migrated and when
the power that otherwise would be generated can be sold most profitably. A
council analysis indicated the spill program costs ratepayers $7.6 million for
every endangered fish it saves, though thousands of fish not listed as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act also benefit.
More conservative estimates produced by BPA and other agencies in January
pegged such costs at more than $3.1 million for each threatened fish, though
they dislike the cost per fish comparison.
They've worked since January to devise a set of other measures they believed
would offset any increase in fish mortality realized by running more water
through turbines instead of spilling it. The primary measure involved releasing
more water from Brownlee Reservoir in Idaho and others included boosting
predator control programs and habitat restoration efforts.
Critics scoffed at the list, arguing some measures aren't actually new and
questioning whether they'd provide the same environmental benefit to both listed
and unlisted stocks. Redden saw it their way. His written opinion is expected to
be issued today.
"It was a resounding win," said Charles Hudson, a spokesman for the
Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission.
"It's a great day for everyone who cares about wild salmon
recovery," said Michael Garrity, a spokesman for American Rivers.
"Fish migrating in August will be a lot safer because of this
decision."
Supporters of curtailing spill in the summer said they were not surprised but
continue to be astounded by the cost.
"I'm not surprised but I'm really disappointed," said Franklin PUD
Manager Jean Ryckman. "I guess we continue to spend millions of dollars
that haven't been proven to really benefit the fish."
"I don't possibly see how it could be a rational decision," said
Darryll Olsen of the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association. "If the
public understood what the costs are it would be unacceptable."
U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, pressed for an appeal of the judge's ruling.
"The number of endangered fish helped by summer spill can literally be
counted on your fingers and toes," he said in a written statement.
The Washington State Farm Bureau had intervened in the matter, pressing
Redden to avoid micro-managing river operations from the bench.
"He substituted his judgment for the judgment of the federal agencies
charged with operating the dams," said bureau spokesman Dean Boyer.
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